Are you wondering how Fiber contributes to healthy living? I’m sure you have already heard a lot about fiber, but there are chances you might be deficient in fiber. Surprisingly, it’s one of the most underrated nutrients. As children, we all imagined eating fiber to be as boring as munching on prunes or eating straw-flavored wheat brans.  However, once you discover delicious fiber-rich foods, without a doubt, you cannot stop having them.

Am afraid, what if you start to overeat them notwithstanding the taste and varieties? Just kidding! Fibers are great for digestive health and regular bowel movements. Above all, it can help you lose weight, boost the health of your skin, and lessen your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Furthermore, the prevention of colon cancer may benefit from having a fiber-rich diet.

To keep our internal plumbing functioning like a well-tuned engine, we all require fiber. Aren’t you excited to know more about fiber, I have thus unlocked a lot many interesting facts about fiber for your healthy living.

What Are Fiber-Rich Foods?

Basically, fibers are carbohydrates. Fiber passes the digestive tract undigested, in contrast to other carbohydrates that are converted into sugar molecules that can be absorbed quickly.

• Provided that, the primary function of fiber is to maintain a healthy digestive system. They are also known as “roughage”.

• You would definitely know that fiber-rich foods are obtained only from plants, you cannot get fiber from animal products like meat, egg, or fish. Fibers rich foods are obtained from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

• Soluble fiber and insoluble fiber are two different forms of fiber.

Soluble VS Insoluble Fiber

Both soluble and insoluble fiber have their own advantages. What distinguishes soluble from insoluble fiber? Do you need both soluble and insoluble fiber?

Yes, both soluble and insoluble fiber are necessary for a healthy diet since research has shown that they support a number of processes, including hunger regulation, digestion, bowel movements, and weight control.

Soluble Fiber Rich Foods

Soluble fiber absorbs water like a sponge and dissolves in water, and produces a gel-like substance in the colon. Therefore, they add volume to the stool and also can help with constipation.

• Specifically, fiber hinders the stomach’s and intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients and slows down digestion.

• Maintaining good cholesterol levels and heart health is promoted by its ability to bond with fatty acids. Lowering levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol is one of its key functions.

• Soluble fiber ferments in the stomach, which can cause some bloating and gas (When eating a high-fiber diet, you may experience a lot of flatulence(farts) because soluble fiber is digested by bacteria in the large intestine, which results in the release of gas).

• Soluble fiber also prolongs stomach emptying, which enhances the absorption of nutrients, gives satisfaction after eating, and regulates hunger. Additionally, soluble fiber can control blood sugar levels.

• Some examples of soluble fiber include pectins, gums, and mucilage, mostly found in plant cells. 

Top 10 Sources Of Soluble Fiber-Rich Foods

These are some excellent sources of soluble fiber

• Oats
• Sweet Potato
• Peas
• Black beans
• Apples
• Flax Seeds
• Citrus fruit
• Carrots
• Barley
• Avocados

Insoluble Fiber Rich Foods

Insoluble fiber doesn’t solve in water and remains intact and undigested. Food can move more quickly through the stomach and intestine with the aid of insoluble fiber. 

• Insoluble fibers won’t ferment in the intestines, so they produce less gas. Because of this, depending on the individual, a diet that is extremely heavy in fiber may occasionally make IBS symptoms worse. Additionally, it increases the stool’s volume and eases constipation.

• The insoluble fibers make up the structural part of plant cell walls that includes cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin.

Top 10 Sources Of Insoluble Fiber-Rich Foods

These are some excellent sources of insoluble fiber

• Berries
• Wheat bran And Wheat Gem
• Okra
• Nuts
• Pear with skin
• Cauliflower
• Spinach
• Turnips & Radish
• Green beans
• Potatoes

Due to the fact that different fiber-containing foods have varying effects on different people, it is crucial to gradually incorporate these foods into your diet and to drink plenty of water.

How Much Fiber Do You Need Everyday?

To keep your digestive system functioning properly, it’s essential to consume the right amount of fiber. Beyond aiding in digestion, fiber has several other health advantages, like aiding in weight loss and maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria.

• Consuming 28 grams of fiber per day is advised for adults, with a variation depending on age and gender. 

• Children aged 1 to 18 are recommended to take 14 to 31-gram fiber per day depending on their age and gender.

What Are The Benefits Of Eating Fiber-Rich Foods?

A nutritious diet must contain dietary fiber. It is important for maintaining gut health and reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases. Dietary fiber has a plethora of benefits for your health.

A healthy fiber-rich diet literally supports the growth of gut bacteria. They then grow and multiply. The mucus membrane in our intestines thickens with the number of bacteria present, providing a more effective barrier between our body and the active bacterial population. The bacteria aid in digestion while the mucus barrier reduces inflammation throughout the body, providing a win-win situation. A summary of some of the most important advantages of fiber follows.

Bowel Cancer Risk And Fiber

Research has demonstrated that whole grains, dietary fiber, and cereal fiber can help prevent some types of cancer.

• Fiber is considered to lower the risk of bowel cancer by increasing stool bulk, diluting cancer-causing agents in the diet, and decreasing transit time through the colon.
  
• Short-chain fatty acids are also created when the fiber is fermented by bacteria, and these acids are thought to have protective properties.
  
• According to other studies, consuming 10g of total dietary fiber daily results in a 10% decrease in the risk of colorectal cancer.

Diabetes And Fiber-Rich Diet

If you have diabetes, consuming fiber-rich food slows the absorption of glucose into your blood from the small intestine. This reduces the chance of an increase in the hormone insulin, which the pancreas produces to stabilize blood sugar levels. Fiber tends to lower type 2 diabetes. Soluble fibers are recommended if you have diabetes.

Healthy Weight Loss With Fiber-Rich Foods

Fiber-rich foods are often heavy and fulfilling.

• A diet rich in fiber helps prevent weight gain. Fiber-rich foods are low in calories and make you feel fuller for a long time, which reduces your need to snack in between meals.
  
• Fiber is believed to reduce your appetite, thereby helping you to eat less.

Lower Cholesterol Levels

High blood cholesterol levels cause fatty streaks and plaques to build up on artery walls increases the risk of coronary heart disease. It is known that soluble fiber can bond with bile acids, which are created from cholesterol and used to break down dietary fats before being finally eliminated, potentially lowering blood cholesterol.

Beneficial For Gut Bacteria

The healthy bacteria that make up your gut’s microbiome thrive on fiber.

• The bacteria in your gut eat the fiber that has fermented in your GI tract and make short-chain fatty acids, which have a number of advantages, including reducing systemic inflammation, which has been associated with almost all major chronic health issues.
  
• Constipation patients should increase their intake of fiber-rich meals. Fiber makes your feces softer and thicker, which both hasten their exit from your body.

Natural Detox On Your Body

A diet rich in fiber acts as a natural detox for your body.

• Fiber helps your GI tract naturally scrape away toxins and encourages their removal. Before they can be absorbed by the body, soluble fiber soaks up potentially toxic substances like excessive estrogen and bad fats. 
  
• Insoluble fiber also reduces the length of time that toxins like BPA, mercury, and pesticides remain in your system since it speeds up the process of digestion. The less chance they have to harm you, the faster they get flushed out.

Fiber-Rich Foods Improve Skin Health

Yeast and fungus can cause breakouts or acne when they are expelled through the skin. Consuming fiber, particularly psyllium husk (a type of plant seed), will help your body eliminate toxins, which will benefit your skin’s health and appearance.

Best Time To Eat For Weightloss

Wait! Is there any time to eat for weight loss? You’ve probably heard that the best time to eat for weight loss is just before sunset. Is it a myth or is it real? How handle mealtimes if you work a night shift? In this video, we attempted to provide a scientific explanation of when you should eat.

Fiber-Rich Indian Food Recipes For Weightloss?

You may feel fuller more quickly by adding fiber-rich foods to your diet. Compared to other foods, fiber takes longer to digest. It also increases the length of your feeling of fullness, which encourages you to eat fewer calories. Eating more fiber can make it easier to reduce calories since foods high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, are low in calories.

Dalia Upma 

The Dalia Upma is a high-fiber breakfast dish that’s perfect for those with diabetes and for easing constipation.

Oats Milk Recipe

The Oats milk recipe is a satisfying breakfast loaded with essential nutrients if you are planning to lose weight and want to stay full for a long.

Mushroom Spinach Omelet

Have you tried this exotic recipe with a combination of egg, mushroom, and spinach? I am sure you would have loved it.

Broken Wheat Recipe

The broken wheat recipe is easy to make and super nourishing and delicious.They are rich in iron, fiber, calcium, and other minerals.

Raw Papaya Salad Recipe

The Raw Papaya Salad recipe is colorful, delicious, and unquestionably a must-try for all fitness fanatics.

What Happens If You Do Not Eat Fiber-Rich Foods?

You can experience brief symptoms of tiredness and constipation. However, eating a low-fiber diet on a regular basis may increase your risk of developing more serious conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Some health concerns of having a diet low in fiber are

Constipation

Heart disease

Obesity

Hemorrhoids

Diverticulitis

Diabetes

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Colon cancer

Breast cancer

What Happens If You Eat Too Much Fiber?

Eventually, you can experience bloating, gas, cramp, and discomfort if you consume too much fiber. Moreover, you can benefit fully from eating fiber if you consume enough water. 

• To minimize any harmful effects, make sure to consume the recommended amount of fiber and then gradually add more fiber to your diet. An abrupt change from a low-fiber to a high-fiber diet may cause some stomach discomfort and more flatulence (gas).

• High-fiber diets (greater than 40g per day) have been associated to reduce the absorption of certain minerals (such as iron, zinc, and calcium). This happens when fiber binds to these minerals and creates insoluble salts and then flushed out which may lead to the deficiency of these minerals.

• Furthermore, we recommend obtaining fiber through direct dietary sources as opposed to fiber supplements, as the latter might make constipation worse, especially if you do not drink enough water.

Signs Of Eating Too Much Fiber?

Fiber is very important in your day-to-day life. Basically, too much of anything can be harmful and the same applies to fiber as well. As a result, consuming more fiber than recommended in your diet does more harm than good. The below symptoms indicate you are taking excess fiber

Gaining or losing weight

Bloating & Gas 

Feeling overstuffed

Dehydration

Diarrhea or constipation 

Inadequate absorption of some essential minerals

In rare circumstances, nausea and intestinal blockage

How Do Fiber Rich Foods Help With Weight Loss?

Fiber-rich foods can further help in weight loss efforts or maintaining a healthy weight.

1. Keeps You Full For A Long

Fiber-rich foods help you bulk up on dietary fiber which increases satiety and thus limits calorie intake and hence promotes weight loss. A high-fiber meal takes a very long time to chew, so you eat less. They also take a long time to digest, very slowly releasing sugar into the bloodstream, so you feel fuller for longer.

2. Reduces Fat Storage

Insoluble fiber helps in flushing fat out of the body. It tends to have fewer calories and is rich in antioxidants and micro-nutrients. However, soluble fiber forms a gel inside the gut and reduces the rate of sugar absorption into the blood. Hence, it lowers the blood sugar level. Though, it lowers insulin levels, which helps in reducing stored fat (triglycerides) in the body.

3. Protects Body From Inflammation

High fiber-rich foods are also known to prevent gut bacteria. It releases certain substances that decrease the levels of body inflammation. Moreover, one of the major impacts of inflammation in the body is that it reduces the effectiveness of leptin as a weight control hormone.

4. Fiber Rich Foods Reduces Appetite

The soluble fiber in high-fiber foods forms like a jelly substance. The formation of gel then covers the gut and slows down the process of stomach emptying. It also increases digestion time and hence reduces appetite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Dietary Fiber Speed Up Digestion?

Ans: The digestive system can’t process and absorb fiber like other carbohydrates, so it slows digestion as it passes through your body and softens and eases the passage of your stools.

Q: Which Dal Has A High Fiber Content?

Ans: Compared to other types of pulses, moong dal offers a high level of nutritional fiber. A single cup of dal contains 40.5 to 70% of the recommended daily intake of nutrients. By lowering blood cholesterol levels, the fiber in moong dal guards against any nutritional problems.

Q: Are Eggs High In Fiber?

Ans: Eggs are a good source of protein, but they lack enough fiber.

Q: What Does Fiber Do?

• Maintain lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the body.
• Help you avoid overeating and you can feel full.

Q: How Much Fiber A Person Should Intake?

Fiber intake per day differs from gender to gender:

• Women 25 g per day.
• Men 38 g per day.

A Word From Fitelo

Can food act as medicine? Yes! Recent research has shown that making healthy food choices can help to prevent or treat certain health conditions. The greatest way to receive all of the nutrients, including fiber, that your body needs to function at its best is through a well-balanced diet that contains lots of whole-plant foods. 

To summarize, try to take a diet with the right amount of fiber-rich food to maintain your weight, sugar count, cholesterol, and bowel movement. Furthermore, if you’ve tried adding more fiber to your meals but can’t tolerate it for any reason, you can talk to your primary care doctor or a certified dietician at Fitelo.

Fun Fact 

We know that you have put in a lot of hard work and sacrificed your favorite foods to lose that extra inch going to the gym or taking a diet plan to get back to shape. And have you ever thought about what happens after your monthly or yearly pack expires? You gain back all that hard lose weight with no supervision from your trainer or dietician. This is where Fitelo comes with a 5 years warranty – Lose Weight & Never Gain Back.

Disclaimer

All recipes from Fitelo’s kitchen are devised to suit specific needs. Also, what may suit one condition may not be applicable to the other. Hence always consult your nutritionist or dietitian before adding any of these recipes to your diet.